I Want To Be Friends With My Kids

Who does actor Yao Wenlong worry more about: His 12-year-old son or three-year-old daughter? Find out also why he didn’t send them to school in Singapore.

Yao Wenlong may not be a superstar, but he is no doubt a household name in Singapore and Malaysia.

In this interview with U-Weekly, the 47-year-old actor gives a rare glimpse into his family life and chats about his wife Ziqing, 36; son Jianyu, 12; and daughter, Luohui, three.

How would you describe yourself as a father?

I am a father who loves his children; I wonder if I spoil them sometimes. My family is my priority.

Since the age of 18, I’ve always looked forward to having my own family. When I was in my 20s, I wanted to get married, but I didn’t meet the right person. I finally got married at 36 – that’s considered late.

At different ages, there are different things to learn. I’m learning to be a good father. I’d like to teach my kids well, so they don’t have to take the longer route to achieve the same goals. I often go online to seek parenting advice from my friends.

Do you spend a lot of time with your kids?

I try to, so I enjoy going home after work. For example, I started working out so I could keep up with my daughter. When I run after her these days, I no longer end up panting (laughs).

What were your parents like?

My father is strict; my mother is kind. I used to fear my father; if my grades or behaviour were bad, I’d be scolded or beaten.

I want to be a different kind of father. I want to be a friend to my kids; we can go swimming, jogging, shopping and play sports together. If my daughter isn’t home, I get to spend alone-time with my son.

If she’s home, everyone has to watch over her, and we become so busy. She is so daring; she can wander over to a stranger’s table and sit with him.

There’s a considerable age gap between your son and your daughter. Was she an “accident”?